"For Ron Paul to run as an independent," Fox News Channel's Juan
Williams wrote back on November 4, "could be the biggest, most
consequential third party candidacy in American history. Yes, one that
is even bigger than Ross Perot’s candidacy was in the 90s."

Persistent talk about a Ron Paul third party candidacy by some may be
an attempt to sabotage Dr. Paul's GOP candidacy and enable
establishment candidates who support banking bailouts and irresponsible
foreign military intervention to win the nomination. Paul has stated he
won't run an independent race for the presidency. But serious analysis
of the 2012 presidential race indicates that a major independent
challenge is all but certain this year without an anti-bailout candidate
such as Paul winning the GOP nomination.

Indeed, a significant third party candidacy need not be headlined by
Ron Paul. Plenty of third party candidate possibilities dot the
political horizon, each of whom could draw 5-15 percent of the popular
vote (or more) and a significant percentage of conservative and
independent voters. More on those possible candidates later. But first,
let's outline a few basic facts about the 2012 presidential election.